Karl Kimmig is Head of the Data Center Segment at ABB in Germany. In an eco interview, he talks about high-availability data centres, energy efficiency and sustainability. ABB will provide more exciting insights on topics including data centres and sustainability at this year’s German language Data Center Expert Summit on 14 and 15 June.
At this year’s Data Center Expert Summit, ABB will give a keynote on highly available data centres in a climate-neutral world. Why is this a particularly important topic now and what are the challenges in this field?
Data centres are the backbone for the implementation of digitalisation in society, industry and infrastructure. On the one hand, digitisation contributes to increasing efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint through optimised processes, but on the other hand, it has itself developed into an energy-intensive industry. To meet climate targets, data centres require new approaches to increase energy efficiency and waste heat utilisation as well as to reduce electrical energy, heat and water.
Data centres are part of the critical infrastructure and must be highly available. They also fulfil a social and economic mandate and, as an energy-intensive industry, are under strong pressure to implement all options in order to reach the climate goals. This creates a certain tension. For this reason, the complex issues mentioned must be taken into account as early as the planning stage, also with regard to the architecture, location of the building and technical requirements. Data centres are an excellent illustration of the multi-layered discussion of sector coupling.
How can flexible infrastructure and automation in the data centre be achieved with improved energy efficiency?
This requires the early involvement of all stakeholders for detailed and comprehensive planning. Legislators, energy suppliers, public utilities, urban planners, planners, suppliers and data centre operators must develop a coordinated strategy. This includes the use of the latest technologies and products as well as the implementation of new concepts in electrical supply and waste heat utilisation. It is important that all project participants have the courage to take a fresh look at previous and proven paths already in the planning phase. The acceptance of new technologies by all project participants, including the end customers and users, is a major factor.
What do you hope to achieve through the exchange of ideas among the data centre scene at the Data Center Expert Summit?
We hope for renewed momentum and the recognition of new approaches through the exchange of the stakeholders involved. Discussions of solutions from other industries and suggestions from best-practice examples are always interesting. A summit like this offers the opportunity to deepen present contacts and expand personal networks in order to be able to form potential, meaningful partnerships. Good networking with the data centre industry is significant so that we as manufacturers can make our contribution to overcoming the challenges ahead.
Thank you very much for the interview, Mr Kimmig!
Here you will find all the information and the programme for this year’s German-language Data Center Expert Summit.
